NEW YORK — The Alex Rodriguez season of redemption continued on Thursday.
The controversial slugger hit career home run No. 661 in the New York Yankees' 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles, passing the legendary Willie Mays for sole possession of fourth place on Major League Baseball's all-time home runs list.
Rodriguez just missed the milestone in the first inning when O's right fielder Delmon Young made a leaping grab to rob him of a homer, but he got it done in his next at-bat with a no-doubter. A-Rod drove a 1-1 changeup off of Baltimore starter Chris Tillman over the center field wall to break a 2-2 tie in the third inning, noticeably smiling as he rounded the bases.